Harrodsburg Road to close for the weekend at 7 p.m. Friday

For those who travel Harrodsburg Road, Friday at 7 p.m. is D-Day, the moment when one of Lexington's busiest arteries shuts down for 58 hours as state road crews build a new interchange at New Circle Road.

The design for the Harrodsburg Road interchange at New Circle Road, called double crossover diamond, eliminates left turns that require drivers to cross in front of oncoming traffic. Instead, it gives drivers on New Circle Road access to Harrodsburg Road in the left lanes.

For those who travel Harrodsburg Road, that's D-day, the moment when one of Lexington's busiest arteries shuts down for 58 hours as state road crews build a new interchange at New Circle Road.

Harrodsburg Road will be closed between Pasadena Drive and Beaumont Centre.

Predictions of scattered showers on Saturday shouldn't slow down the non-stop work.

"I think I'll be bringing a sleeping bag," said Tony McGaha, the Lexington section supervisor for the state Transportation Department, which is overseeing the construction.

When the road reopens at 5 a.m. Monday, it will feature Kentucky's first double crossover diamond interchange, in which motorists cross over to drive on the left side of the road so they don't have to cross in front of oncoming traffic when making left turns.

The design is expected to improve traffic flow at one of the busiest and most dangerous intersections in Lexington.

"There will be plenty of signs that show which lane to be in. Hopefully it will be a lot less confusing," McGaha said.

While the road is closed this weekend, the state recommends that drivers take either Nicholasville or Versailles roads to Man o' War Boulevard as alternative routes.

Businesses, residents and drivers already have suffered for several months with construction at the site.

Roger Leasor, general manager of Liquor Barn, works at the Beaumont Centre store and said he hopes people realize that Beaumont can be entered from Man o' War.

"This weekend will not be much fun, but when they finish it, I know it's going to be better," Leasor said.